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| Florida Tick Season |
Recently I was hiking the Florida Trail in the Seminole State Forest near Sulphur Camp, investigating the many springs that occur in that area and unfortunately I encountered a section of trail infested with ticks. I didn't know it at the time, but I was soon feeling the effects of the tick bites as they moved up my body, bit me, and began to take their blood meals.
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The Florida Trail in this area of Central Florida is notorious for arachnids including the dreaded Florida chigger (a mite in the family Trombiculidae), but I had avoided areas south of Shark's Tooth Spring known to be hotbeds of chiggers, only to find a lesser known infestation of ticks near Helene Spring to the north.
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| Florida Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii) I got the photo but also got attacked by ticks. |
I got down on my knees to take a few photos of a stand of Florida Tickseed (coreopsis) and that is likely when the ticks found me and climbed aboard.
While ticks can be found throughout the year in Florida there are seasonal differences in the abundance of nymphs and adults. Ticks in either stage can transmit any diseases they carry, so quick removal of ticks and prevention of tick bites are both important. There can be an increased risk of disease from nymphs because they are often small enough to avoid being noticed.
Of course I did not notice the ticks until I got home. I had taken some practical precautions: Deep Woods Off, hiking boots, jeans, long sleeves. I had not taped my pants to my shoes with duct tape. This is a good way to keep the nymphs out of your pants. My precautions were not enough and the ticks were on me and had started biting. So how worried should one be when this happens? Really, it depends on which tick you've encountered and how allergic you might be.
In Florida you'll encounter no less than 5 different species of ticks carrying at least 7 commonly identified diseases. Its important to remove the ticks as soon as they are detected. The longer they stay on, the more likely they are to transmit infection.
So which type of tick is it? In my case, I'm allergic to all ticks so it doesn't really matter. Their presence and bite quickly causes a reaction that leads to a large, itchy red spot around the tick and its bite site. Because it is early July in Florida and the ticks were adults I could assume (from the list below) that I had encountered a Lone Star Tick. July is the peak of their adult season but they can be found in large numbers February to November.
My removal and treatment strategy is simple. Stun the tick with an alcohol swab. Grab its body with tweezers or fingers (depending on whether it is gorged with blood) and yank it out, making sure to get the head out. Once the tick is out you'll see its legs still moving in your alcohol pad. Then its time to end it!
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| Lone Star Tick |
These are the ticks most likely encountered in Florida:
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| Florida Tick Identification Chart These are the most common ticks one might encounter in Florida. |
1. BROWN DOG TICK (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
The brown dog tick feeds mainly on dogs and is usually found in areas where dogs frequent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently identified the brown dog tick as a vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in the southwestern United States and along the Mexican border. Usually found in warmer climates and easily recognized by its reddish-brown color.
2. AMERICAN DOG TICK (Dermacentor varibilis)
American dog ticks are usually found on dogs, but they will also attach to other mammals and humans. Unlike the brown tick, it is typically an outdoor tick, not a household pest. This tick can also carry RMSF.
Nymphs feed on rodents, but adults will attach to humans. Adults are abundant from March through September.
American dog ticks can also cause paralysis in dogs and children when the ticks attach to the base of the skull or the spinal column. Paralysis is caused by a toxic secretion. Recovery usually occurs within 24 hours of removing the tick.
3. LONE STAR TICK (Amblyomma americanum)
The lone star is the most common human-biting tick in Florida and easily recognizable. Females have a light-colored dot on their back. Lone star ticks carry and transmit ehrlichiosis and southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). This tick is also known to cause a bitten person to develop alpha-gal meat allergy.
Nymphs occur between February and October; adults occur April through August with a peak in July.
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| Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum) |
4. GULF COAST TICK (Amblyomma maculatum)
This tick is prevalent in southeastern states. It looks similar to the American dog tick but has larger mouthparts. Gulf Coast ticks transmit a less severe RMSF relative, Rickettsia parkeri.
Nymphs are found in early spring (January to March), and adults from March through September. Adults are commonly found on the ears of large mammals, such as cattle.
5. BLACK-LEGGED TICK (Ixodes scapularis)
The black-legged tick (or deer tick) is mostly known as the carrier of Lyme disease. Black-legged ticks also carry babesiosis and HGA (human granulocytic anaplasmosis).
Nymphs are found April through August. Adults are common throughout the winter (September through May).
Ticks must feed for several hours to transmit disease organisms, so quick identification and removal help reduce tick-borne disease. To remove a tick, grasp it on its mouthparts with tweezers and pull it straight out with firm pressure.
To avoid tick bites and diseases:
Remove ticks from pets and people as soon as noticed.
In tick-infested areas, keep clothing buttoned and tucked in, including placing pants inside boots. Taping down open legged pants with duct tape also helps.
Wear light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks.
Apply Deep Woods OFF (or similar) to clothes and uncovered skin.
Avoid touching plants in tick-infested areas.
Avoid tall grass and low bushes.
Check for ticks after frequenting tick-infested areas.
If you live in wooded areas, check for ticks daily.
Several tick diseases are present in Florida, and others can be contracted during travel.
If you are bitten by a tick and become ill, contact your physician. Depending on the disease and individual reactions, it may take several weeks for symptoms to appear.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is considered the most severe tick-borne disease in the US, with a high mortality rate among untreated cases. RMSF has a disease presence in Florida, with the number of cases increasing in the summer months. The American dog tick is the main transmitter in Florida.
Symptoms:
red, spotted rash after onset of fever; vomiting; headache; lack of appetite; and muscle aches.
RICKETTSIA PARKERI
The Gulf Coast tick transmits Rickettsia parkeri, a RMSF relative; the lone star tick may be another vector. R. parkeri may be misdiagnosed as RMSF. Unlike RMSF, R. parkeri will cause the bite site to resemble a sore or pimple.
Symptoms:
inoculation eschar (sore), fever, fatigues, headaches, muscle pain, and general rash.
SOUTHERN TICK-ASSOCIATED RASH ILLNESS (STARI)
STARI is a Lyme-like disease transmitted by the lone star tick. STARI differs from Lyme disease in that chronic symptoms (e.g., arthritis, neurological symptoms) likely do not occur.
Symptoms:
“bull’s eye” rash (erythema migraines), fatigue, fever, headache, and muscle and joint pain.
LYME DISEASE
Fewer cases of lyme disease occur in Florida than in the northeastern US. This is mainly attributed to two factors:
Tick population life cycles are different in Florida compared to northern states.
Black-legged ticks feed on Florida’s large population of reptiles and lizards, which are not reservoirs for the disease.
Of the Lyme disease cases reported from 1999-2008, 30% were acquired in Florida.
Symptoms:
“Bull’s eye” rash, fever, headaches, chills, fatigue, and stiff neck or muscle aches. Late-stage symptoms may not appear until months or years after the bite.
The rash only appears in 60%–80% of Lyme cases and may not be at the bite site.
EHRLICHIOSIS AND ANAPLASMOSIS
Ehrlichiosis (HME) and anaplasmosis (HGA) are transmitted by the lone star tick and black-legged tick, respectively. Most HGA cases are acquired outside of Florida. These diseases are difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other diseases.
Symptoms:
Fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, joint pain, diarrhea, and confusion.
BABESIOSIS
Babesiosis is not considered a significant issue in Florida and the disease is not currently reportable. It is transmitted by black-legged ticks. Infections are thought to be asymptomatic. Those who do get symptoms experience fever, headache, and muscle weakness.
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| An ACT UP demonstration in 2016 Photo: R. Sunshine |
Even During COVID-19
Founded in March 1987, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) is a diverse, nonpartisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis. ACT UP is run openly and democratically. There are no paid staff, and everyone is a volunteer. With an incredible history of fighting back and speaking truth to power, ACT UP members meet with government officials, distribute the latest medical information, protest, and demonstrate.
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